Vermin destroyer



June 9 B. DOUGHERTY ET AL 1,963,838

VERMIN DESTROYER Filed May 23, 1933 z sheet's-sheet 1 l 0 5. dBZF FEHyWill/am 1.4/7 arson W 4 A'ITORNEY June 19, 1934. B. DOUGHIERTY ET AL1,963,838

VERMIN DESTROYER Filed May 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENTO ' lea 8 0 EarklfiliamdAm' grsa Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES VERMIN DE STROYERLeo B. Dougherty and William J. Anderson,

New York, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1933, Serial No. 672,451

1'7 Claims.

The purpose of the invention is to provide means for absolutely killingand destroying vermin, insects, bacteria and the like, such ascockroaches, bed-bugs,- moths, flies, mosquitoes, etc.

5 The invention relates to means for discharging a vermin destroyingfluid which is substantially heavier than air into an enclosure in sucha manner that it will travel to all points of the enclosure includingthe upper and lower parts thereof.

The invention also relates to means for deodorizing, disinfecting, andfumigating and is also used for medication and as a germicide, andinsecticide.

The invention is an apparatus for ejecting a vermin destroying fluid incombination with steam or other gaseous substances into the atmospherein an upward direction so that it is driven to the upper part ofanenclosure, and in which the vermin destroying fluidmay be preheatedand atomized by drawing'it upward thru the heating or steam or othergaseous producing means. Vermin destroyers have been used heretofore inboth the fluid and solid forms and different types of apparatus havebeen provided for discharging, applying or permitting the escape of thefluids, solids or vapors therefrom, however, these fluids and vapors aregenerally heavier than air so that whereas they may be very efficientfor germs or vermin around the base of a room or enclosure they do notrise to the upper part thereof and are therefore not very efficient forkilling or destroying vermin in an entire room or enclosure. Thesedestroyersgenerally have a very objectionable odor and in most cases areinjurious tohuman life. They are also provided with the intention ofsuffocating, or snuffing out life by strangulation or other similarmeans and as it is-usually necessary for the vermin to absorb a portionof the substance thru the respiratory tract, they cannot be one hundredpercent efficient.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a. vermindestroyer which attacks the vermin from any part of the body, spore orcell acting as a stomach or contact poison, and which disintegrates orbreaks down the cell tissues or by which the cell is dissolved or brokendown. The introduction of the toxic ingredients is facilitated by thepenetrating qualities of the vehicle and is dissolved and diluted by thebody fluids, so that death is absolutely assured whether or not thesubstance is actually inhaled or introduced into the body thru therespiratory tract or any other medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide the combination of avermin destroyer with an agent for conveying the destroyer to the upperand substantially all parts of a room or enclosure and so that it willalso penetrate all cracks and crevices thereof.

Another object is to provide a vermin destroyer which is harmless tohuman beings or household pets, and which will not contaminatefoodstuffs.

Another object is to provide a germicide spraying device which will drawthe germicide from a refillable or renewable container on the inside andat the bottom of the device.

Another object is to provide a device for spraying a germicide incombination with water vapor which is portable and may be operated atany point or points.

A further object is to provide a device for spraying a fluid fordestroying insects, or .the

like, in combination with water vapors, which is substantially compactand may be used and moved as a unit. o

And still another object is to provide a device for spraying vermindestroying gases which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies an insecticidal or insectrepelling composition containing botanical derivatives, such as Rotenoneand the like I of oil soluble principles of Pyrethrum flowers and aboiler having a tubular casing in the center thereof with acomparatively small tube in the center of the casing, a renewablecontainer at the lower end of the tubular casing, an electricheating'element below the boiler, a safety valve and filling opening,and a spray nozzle.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing a side elevation of the device with. partbroken away showing a section approximately on the center line.

Figure 2 is a section thru the central part of the casing. I

Figure 3 is a detail showing a section thru the nozzle at the upper endof the'casing.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the nozzle showing an alternate design inwhich the nozzle is provided with a plurality of openings.

Figure 5 is a cross section thru the upper end of the nozzle showing anozzle having a plurality of openings similar to that shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view showing an alternate design which may be provided forindustrial use showing to provide a vertical and angular discharge.

Figure 10 is an end view of the nozzle shown in Figure 9. I

Figure 11 is another detail showing a sliding cap of another alternatedesign.

Figure 12 is a view showing a cross section of the cap shown in Figure11. I

l'n the drawing the device is shown as it would be made wherein numeral1 indicates the casing, numeral 2 the renewable container in which thegermicide or g erm destroying solution may be placed, and numeral 3 anelectric heating element.

The casing 1 is preferably made of sheet metal,

spun to the shape shown, and made in one continuous piece providing acomplete ,outer shell, however,-it will be understood that this may bemade of any material, of any design, and formed in any manner. In thedesign shown the upper section, as indicated by numeral 1, is ofacylindrical shape and this is provided with a raised top 4. Below thesection 1 is an enlarged section 5, also of a cylindrical shape andbelow this sectionis an outwardly flared flange 6. The lower end ispreferably open and provided with legs 7 having insulating members 8attached thereto 7 to prevent a direct contact between the metalliccasing and the surface upon which the device may be placed.

At the lower end of the section 1 and on the inside of the casing is ahorizontal partition 9 with a well 10 in the center thereof, and theouter edge of this partition is soldered or welded to the inside of thecasing 1, as indicatedat the point 11, and the central part is providedwith an opening 12 thru which a tubular casing 13 on themterior passes,and the edges of the opening 12 may be soldered or welded to the surfacepf this casing. It will be understood that although these connectionsare referred to as being soldered or welded they may be formed or madein any man-' ner to provide water tight joints. The outer element may beconnected be understood that this con edge of the partition 9 may beformed with, what may be rmed as a weak section 14, in which part of thesolder may be omitted, so that, if the pressure in. the boiler shouldexceed a certain amount and the safety valve fail to work, theconnection will blow at the point 14 and relieve the' pressure, and thissection maybe soldered back in place, thereby causing very little damageto the device.

The electric heating element 3 is provided in the form of a ring and isplaced below the partion'9 and around the outer surface of the well 10.

a socket 16 and a plug 17 may be attached to the socket or insertedtherein in y manner. It will ection which may extend to a source ofelectric current may be located at any other point or points, and formedin any manner and any-means may be used for -inner surface of the capwill create thru'wires 15 .to

supplying electric current to the element. An asbestos pad 18 isprovided below the element and a thin' covering plate 19 may be providedbelow the asbestos pad, if desired. A thermostat plug 20 may be providedin the socket 16 and this may be arranged so that it will break thecircuit if the temperature of the device exceeds a predetermined degree.It will .be notedthat should the water in the device evaporate, a smallamount of water will remain in the well 10 and at this time the outerportion of the casing will heat to a sufficient temperature to cause theelement 20 to break the circuit. It will be understood, however, thatany other means may be used for breaking the electric circuit or turningoff the electric current as the water verted into-steam.

The inner cylindrical casing 13 is threaded upon the lower end of abushing 21 at the upper end of the casing and at the lower end of thecasing 13 is a cap 22'into which a neck 23 of a refillable container 2may be screwed. The container 2 is preferably round and provided with aneck to fit the cap 22, however, it will be understood that thiscontainer may be of any shape, design or size, and any means may be usedfor securing it to the lower end of the casing 13. A small opening 24may be provided in the outer surface of the casing 13 between the cap 22and the plate 19 to admit air to the interior of the casing 13 inordewto provide a circulation thru the casing, if desired, and a smallopening, as indicated-by the 'dotted lines 25, may be provided in thebushing 21, which will extend from the lower end thereof, to a point 26at the upper end connecting to the atmosphere outside of thedevice.

The bushing 21 at the upper end of the casing may be made, as shown inFigure 3, with the upper and lower ends threaded and with packing washer31 is preferably made integral with or fixedly attached to the bushingand this is provided with an opening 33 that extends inward to thecenter ofthe bushing and connects to the lower end of an opening 34, asshown. The openings 33 and 34 connect the interior of the casing 1 tothe interior ofa cap 35 that may be screwed upon the upper (end of thebushing anda't the upper end of the bushing is a small projection 36which substantially engagesthe inner surface 37 of the cap 35. In thecenter of the cap is a small opening 38 corresponding with the upper endof the opening 34 and it will benoted that, as steam pressure is createdwithin the casing, the steam will be forced thru the openings 33 and 34so that they will be injected into and thru the opening 38. Thissteampassing thru the small opening between the upper end of the bushing andthe a suctionin this area and direct the fluid from the container 2upwardthru'a tube 39 that extends from the bottom of the container 2upward to the lower end of the bushing 21 where it is threaded into thebushing, as shown at the point 40, and from this point the opening 41 inthe center of the tube 39 is connected by a passage 42 to the upper endof the bushing so that as suction is created in the space between theupper end of the bushing and the cap the fluid will be drawn thru theopening 42 and thereby thru the opening 41. The space between the tube39 and the inner surface of the casing 13 may be packed with asbestos,

as indicated by the numeral 43, however, it will.

the water or steam in the casing 1 so that the temperature of the fluidpassing upward in the tube 39 may be controlled and regulated as may bedesired.

In the upper end of the casing is a threaded neck 45 and a cap 46 may bescrewed on this neck to provide means for filling the casing. A safetyvalve 47 may be provided in the center of the cap 46 and this valve mayhave a stem 48 extending thru the neck and provided with a nut 49 at theinner end so that a spring 50 placed around the stem will resilientlyhold the valve in the closed position, however, as pressure is createdin the casing 1, the pressure may open the valve 47. It will beunderstood that a safety valve of any type or design may be used andthis may be arranged in any manner and it will also be understood thatany other means may be provided for filling the container.

The casing 1 may also be provided with a water gage 51 and this may bemade as shown or attached to or built into the casing in any manner.

The casing 1 may also be provided with a handle 52 which is pivotallyattached to the sides thereof at the points 53 and 54 and this handle.

may be made of any shape or design and arranged in any manner or anyother means may be provided on the casing by which it may be gripped orheld.

In the designs shown in Figures 4 and 5 the cap 35 is replaced by a cap55 and on the interior of thiscap is a disc 56 having an opening 57corresponding with the opening 38 in the cap 35,

shown in Figure 3, and a space 58 is provided above the disc 56. It willbe noted that vapors or steam will be discharged thru the opening 54 inthe center of the bushing 21 and, as these pass thru the opening 5'7,they will draw the fluid from the tank 2 thru the opening 42, and thesewill mix in the chamber 58 and pass outward thru the openings 59,thereby providing a spray. It

will be understood that this nozzle may be formed I in any other shapeor design to provide a single orifice or to provide a plurality ofopenings, as may be desired.

In the design shown in Figure 6, which is on a comparatively smallscale, the casing l is replaced by a casing 60 and the container 2 bycontainers 62 and 63 formed at the sides of the casing 60. Thesecontainers may be connected by tubes 64 to the lower end of the tube 39at the center, or by any other means. It will also be understood thatthese containers may be of any other shape or design and may bepositioned at any other point or points, and the entire casing may beconstructed or formed to accommodate them or to accommodateany othertype of containers or tanks. The containers or tanks may be providedwith filling plugs 65 and these may be of any type or design and locatedat any point or points.

In the design shown in Figure 7 the device is formed with an outercasing 66 which forms the boiler and this is provided with a heatingelement 67'which may be of any design or type and located at any pointorpoints. In this design the device is provided with an inner "centralchamber 68 which is formed by an'insulated wall 69 and the lower end isopen thru the lower end of'the casing. The nozzle is connected to theupper end of this casing by a member'lo which is similar to the casing13 and an inner tubular member 71 is positioned in the center of thismember similar to the tube 39 and the tube '71 extends downward thru thechamber 68 as shown. The lower end of the member '70 also extends intothe chamber 68 and this is' provided. with threads on which a threadedneck 72 of a container 73 may be screwed as shown. It will also be notedthat the container '73, which may'contain the vermin destroying fluidmay be inserted thru the lower end" of the casing and chamber 68 andscrewed on the lower end of the member '70 by hand. The container mayalso be removed and replaced thru the lower end of the casing. It willalso be understood that other means may be used for holding orsupporting the container in the chamber 68 and the chamber 68 may alsobe of any other shape or design.

In the design shown in Figure 8 the vermin fluid container 81 isinserted in a pocket 82 in the side of the casing 83 and it will beunderstood that this container may be used in a pocket formed in thismanner. or may be inserted in the side of the casing in any other manneror by any other means.

In the design shown in Figure 8 the container is screwed upon a nipple84 and the nipple is connected by a tube 85 to the nozzle at the upperend of the casing, and the nozzle is provided with a connection 86 whichopens into the upper end of the boiler. The pocket 82 is provided with adoor 87 and this may readily be opened and closed to remove and replacethe container 81. The casing 83 may also be heated by an electricelement connected to a cord 88 or by any other means.

A nozzle of an alternate design is shown in Figures 9 to 12 and in thedesign shown in Figures 9 and 10 this is formed with a sliding cap 89having grooves 90 therein which are slidably held over projections 91 onthe sides of a neck 92 formed at'the upper end of the casing. The

neck 92 connects with the upper end of the member 21, shown in Figure 3,and is provided with openings 42 and 34 similar to those in the member21 shown in Figure 3. The cap 89 is provided with a vertical opening 93and an angularly positioned opening 94, either of which may bepositioned above the neck 92 so that the substance may be ejectedvertically or toward the side as may be desired. This cap may bearranged in any manner and slidably held upon the device by any means,and it will be noted that it is free to slide from one sideto the otherso that either of the openings 93 or 94 may be used. One end of thegrooves 90 is closed and at the other end of the slide is a screw 95which forms a stop to limit the movement of the slide.

The head of the screw may also be used as griptherethru as shown.

responding with the vertical opening and another.

recess 102 corresponding with the angular opening. These openings may,however, be formed in any other manner. The upper surface of the slide97 is provided with a recess 103 by which it may be moved from oneposition to another. The member 100 is also connected to the member 21and openings 34 and 42 are connected It will be understood that thissliding member may be of any other type or description or any other typeof nozzle may be used or any other means may be used for eject-- ing thespray in any position or in any form.

It will be understood that other changes may be made in the devicewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changesmay be in the use of any other means for providing heat to the boiler,another may be in the location of the container 2 in relation to theboiler, another may be in the use of other means for drawing thesubstance from the container 2 thru the boiler or to the nozzle, andstill another may be in the use of a nozzle of any other type or design.I

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoingdescription. In use the device may be provided as shown and describedand it will be understood that the casing may be of any size andarranged in any manner. When it is desired to use'the device the casing1 may be partly filled with water and the container 2 screwed in the cap22. With the nozzle open the electric plug may be connected to anysource of electric current and, as the current is applied, the waterwill be heated and converted into vapor or steam. As pressure is createdwithin the boiler the steam will be forced thru the openings 33 and 34so that they will draw the substance from the container 2, ashereinbefore described. As the device is being used the handle willremain in the lower position so that the spray will pass directly upwardand, as the substance is heavier than air, it will gradually passdownward and as more of the substance enters a room, it will penetratecracks and openings at all corners of the walls or at any points in theenclosure. The mixing of the chemical in the container 2 with the watervapor and forcing it directly upward makes it possible to reach everypoint from the top to the bottom of the enclosure, and as the substancecontains insecticidal or insect repelling compositions containingbotanical derivatives,such as Rotenone and the like of oil solubleprinciples of Pyrethrum flowers, it will absolutely destroy all forms ofvermin, bacteria, germs and even the lower forms of life, such as cellsand spores, thereby completely eliminating all possibility of vermin orthe like returning or being'resurrected after the spraying is completed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

'1. In apparatus for destroying vermin or the like, a boiler, meanssupplying heat to said boiler, a fuel container positioned at the lowerend of said boiler, a vertical tube extending thru the center of saidboiler with the lower end extending into said container, and a nozzle atthe upper end of said tube and bcfller having a steam escaping passageextending therethru .and communicating with said vertical tube formingsuction 3. Apparatus forejecting fluids having a casing with a pressurechamber, a fluid container removably mounted in the lower end of saidcasing beneath the pressure chamber, an ejector in the upper end of saidpressure chamber and communicating therewith, and connecting meansbetween the ejector and the container whereby the fluid is drawnupwardly through the pressure chamber as it is ejected.

4. In a vermin destroying apparatus as described in claim 1, a jacketsurrounding said vertical tube, and insulating material between saidtube and jacket.

5. In vermin destroying apparatus as described in claim 1, means foradjusting said nozzle to regulate the ejection of fluid therefrom.

6. In a spraying apparatus, an outer casing having therein a boiler, aremovable container positioned within .said casing, an ejector nozzle atthe upper end of said casing and opening directly into the boiler, saidnozzle having a vacuum opening positioned adjacent said steamconnection, and means connecting said vacuum opening to the interior ofsaid container and extending into the upper portion of the boiler.

7. In apparatus as described in claim 6, means insulating said containerfrom the boiler.

8. In apparatus as described in claim 6, means insulating said containerand the connection therefrom to said nozzle from the boiler casing.

9. In a vermin destroyer of the character described, a casing having apartition therein, an electric heating element below said partition, acontainer below the electric heating element, a

-tube extending from the container upward thru the casing and an ejectornozzle at the upper end communicating with the interior of the casingand constructed to eject steam created in the casing and draw asubstance thru the tube in the center from the container at the lowerend so 3,

that the substance will be mixed with steam as it is ejected thereby.

10. In a device as described in claim 9, a jacket surrounding said tubein the casing.

11. In a device as described in claim 9, a safety valve on said casing.

12. In a device as described in claim 9, means insulating the tube inthe center of the casing from the temperature of the boiler.

13. In a vermin destroyer, a casing, a boiler formed in said casing,means for heating water in said boiler, a sleeve extending continuouslythru said boiler, a tube in said sleeve, a renewable container at thelower end of said sleeve and into which said tube extends, a nozzle atthe upper end of said casing to which said sleeve and tube areconnected, a passage communicating with said boiler extending to the tipof'said nozzle, and another passage communicating with the tube in thecenter of said sleeve and extending to a point adjacent the tip of saidnozzle.

14. In a vermin destroying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a heatinsulating jacket surrounding said vertical tube.

15. In apparatus for destroying vermin -or the like, a boiler, meanssupplying heat to said boiler, a fuel container positioned at the lowerend of said boiler, a vertical tube extending through said boiler withthe lower end extending into said container, and a nozzle at the upperend mixed with steam before being expelled therefrom.

17. Apparatus for ejecting fluids comprising a vertical casing open atits bottom and having a pressure chamber in its-upper end, a heater inthe casing for the pressure chamber, an ejector on the upper end of thecasing in direct communication with the pressure chamber, and a fluidcontainer detachably mounted in the open bottom of the casing and havingdirect communication with said ejector to feed the fluid thereto.

LEO B. DOUGHERTY. WILLIAM J. ANDERSON.

